Startup Phenomenon Women sparks attendee’s entrepreneurial interests

September 4, 2013

Startup Phenomenon Women 2013 drew a crowd of students, faculty, staff and community members to Macky Auditorium on Sept. 3. The university-supported event, with a theme encouraging women to empower themselves and featuring leaders from a variety of industries, resembled the popular “TED Talks” format. Speakers had the chance to share who they are, what their stories are and the variety of ways they’ve been successful.

The midday “Sparking a Revolution” session featured an interview with Nicole Glaros, managing director of TechStars and Amanda Steinberg, founder of the Daily Worth. Interviewer Katie Kemper asked the two women questions about the challenges they’ve faced and balancing their startup businesses with their personal life.

“I believe that the more confidence you have in yourself, the more everything else aligns,” said Glaros, asking women in the room to raise their hands if their dream growing up was to be a superhero.

Other sessions included “Map Makers,” “Rebels and Risk Takers,” and “Catalysts and Connectors.” Each left audience members - men and women alike - with an overall message befitting a conference focused on the startup culture; take the leap and go for it.

CU student, Paige Kecce, a junior studying anthropology and women and gender studies, went to the event because she was interested in learning more about equality issues and the role they play in society. Kecce attended the “Rebels and Risk Takers” talk in the morning.

“I definitely connected with what they had to say about taking risk and found it inspiring,” she said. “Be brave and be bold.”